Each country has its own "weird food" in a foreigner's eye. A bunch of Filipinos enjoy isaw (chicken/pork intestine), balot (day-old chick), betamax (roasted dried chicken blood served in cubes), etc. Other countries may find these somehow unbelievable or disgusting. But hey, there is most likely a handful of nations eating bugs you'd burn your house down for. In my side of the city, munching on barbecued worms would seem socially unacceptable.

To those who are deathly afraid of even the tiniest bug, well, I feel you. I don't think I've ever consumed a bug. *cringes* It's weird for some people, but other cultures pretty much have insects as part of their diet. In fact, the United Nations urges people to eat insects. They are actually high in protein, fat, and minerals. There's also the possibility that if we start to include insects as part of our diet we can help the environment. “Domesticating and rearing insects can help sustain insect populations while also helping counter nutritional insecurity and improve livelihoods,” Afton Halloran says, a consultant for the FAO Edible Insects Program. (x)

Feel like you should get started on an insect diet? Here are some interesting bug-based bites:

1.Barbecue Mealworms

This is a creation of Pestaurant, a restaurant that serves insects in a more familiar light. Just close your eyes and you won't be able to tell the difference between it and BBQ Cheetos. Close your eyes real hard.

Photo from gizmag.com

2. Salt and Vinegar Crickets

This is another creation of Pestaurant's. Salt and vinegar chips aren't for everyone. What more if they were salt and vinegar crickets?

3. Jing Leed

One of Thailand's most popular snacks: deep-fried cricket seasoned with Golden Mountain sauce (which is similar to soy sauce) and pepper.

4. Fried Caterpillars

Insects to Mexican cuisine is like rice to Filipino cuisine. Insects have been a staple food of Mexican cuisines for centuries. Mmm, crunchy. *eye twitch*

5. Stinkbugs

Blech. They literally stink, especially when you kill them. So, if you could get past the nasty stench they release, feel free to find out if they really do have an apple flavor. They also have anesthetic and analgesic properties. (x)

6. Honeypot Ants

If you're alone in a forest and you need something to eat, these guys wouldn't be a bad choice. The "honeypot" or swollen abdomens contain nectar which give them a natural sweetness in flavor.

7. Fried Spiders

I have seen hell and this is it. Of course for those who live in Cambodia, this is a regional delicacy. The spiders are fried in MSG, garlic, sugar, and salt. It's still disturbing I'm sorry.

*eye twitching* I don't think I'll willingly consume a bug. Looking through these pictures already make me shiver. But hey, if you enjoy consuming bugs or if your culture considers them as a normal part of your diet, then who am I to judge?